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Nominations for Indiahikes August 2024 Photo Contest!

Nominations for Indiahikes August 2024 Photo Contest!

Category Photo Contest Trekker Space

By Jothiranjan B

2024-09-25

We restarted our photo contest this month, and we are overwhelmed by the responses! We are glad to have more than 200 participants in our contest! We received 1000+ entries and it was a delight to see all the beautiful compositions and how each photo had a story to tell. 

The month of August is a great time for post-monsoon treks with lush green landscapes, verdant valleys, hills and meadows, misty mountains, gushing streams and their rhythmic sounds, vibrant wildflowers, dramatic cloud formations, and stunning rainbows.

We received wonderful photos from our trekkers showcasing these amazing elements from our treks. With multiple rounds of reviews, discussions, and selection, we have finally chosen our Top 10 Nominations

Our judge will pick the Winner and Runner-up from these entries. 

Which is your favourite photograph? We also have a Trekkers' Choice award that you can vote for! Your votes will decide the winner of this award.
You can vote only once, so take a look at all the entries before you cast your vote. 

Here are the Top 10 photos from our August 2024 Photo Contest

1. Warwan Valley - Phaneendra Kollipala

Have you come across an ideal landscape setting with a view of the stunning mountains, and valleys meeting to form a river delta? 

And what’s more thrilling than camping at this spot?

We keep telling our trekkers how breathtaking the landscapes of the Warwan Valley are, and this photo depicts it so well! This trail leads to Sukhnai village from the very scenic campsite, Humpet. 


Camera Setting: Shutter - 1/1800, Aperture - F 2.4, ISO 200, Focal Length - 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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2. Miyar Valley - Lavitra Madan

We love to see our trekkers bond with each other and indulge in different activities. Playing cricket at 13000 ft altitude with a stunning view like this is a dream come true for all trekkers! 

Trekking to Miyar Valley during monsoon is a great experience as it is less explored and untouched. This trek takes you to the heart of Lahaul through quaint villages and remote valleys.   


Camera Setting: Shutter - 1/1400, Aperture - F 1.8, ISO 200, Focal Length - 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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3. Pin Bhaba Pass - Yash Trikannad

We cannot stop admiring how precisely this picture has been shot with great effort and patience. The photographer has shot the Himalayan Griffon vulture from over 12000 feet. You definitely need a vulture’s eye to capture a shot this majestic! Watching the Griffon glide into the air is a sight to behold!

Camera Setting: Shutter 1/1000, Aperture F 4, ISO 200, Focal Length 150mm.
(Captured in Camera - Telephoto Lens)

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4. Hampta Pass - Suraj Kanale

This picture caught our attention for its perfect symmetry. The photo was shot early in the morning when the sun rays are subtle and sky is clear, creating a reflection so exquisite! 


This is the Chandratal Lake, which is one of the major highlights of the Hampta Pass trek. The view of the lake is very rewarding to trekkers as it is not visible until you reach near it. The water is so crystal clear and untouched that one can see the underlying layers. It is surrounded by Buddhist flags and the energy is so sacred that there is an instant feeling of calmness. 

Camera Setting: Shutter 1/1653, Aperture F 1.8, ISO 50, Focal Length 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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5. Tarsar Marsar - Nihit Rai 

We have seen so many photos from Tarsar Marsar but this one is special!

It is extremely wonderful to stargaze right after the monsoon season in the Himalayas, as the sky is very clear and the views of the galaxies are astounding!

Here’s an image of the Milky Way rising above the Lidder Valley.

Camera Setting: Shutter - 1/10, Aperture - F 1.8, ISO 1200, Focal Length - 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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6. Kashmir Great Lakes - Nishant Patel

You would have often seen excellent photos of the lakes, meadows, and valleys of Kashmir. Here’s a lovely picture of an old man with his grandson crossing the Satsar Pass. It portrays their relationship beautifully! 

The photo shows their emotions and gives a tiny glimpse of the life of the local villagers in the mountains.   


Camera Setting: Shutter - 1/170, Aperture - F 2.4, ISO 200, Focal Length - 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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7. Warwan Valley - Novoneel Chakraborty

Have you seen animals together in their natural habitat and felt like they might be having a conversation?

Marmots are frequent visitors on this trek, which is one of the highlights of this trek, as they are found only in certain regions of the Himalayas.  

It is very rare to be able to capture such a heartwarming moment as the marmots are mostly in their burrows. You will only get a shot like this if you are lucky enough! 


Camera Setting: Shutter - 1/1000, Aperture - F 5.6, ISO - 800, Focal Length - 200mm.
(Captured in Camera -Telephoto lens)

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8. Tulian Lake - Dr. Bhavana Vankayala

This photo is a beautiful composition of different elements of nature in one frame, highlighting the flora of Kashmir. After two days of walking through the forests, the panoramic view of the Tulian Valley feels heavenly! Surrounded by tall pine trees and majestic mountains, one feels like a very teeny tiny part of nature. 

Camera Setting: Shutter 1/1700, Aperture F 1.8, ISO 100, Focal Length 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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9. Pench Mowgli Trek - Arun Kumar

Here’s a picture worth a thousand words! Our recently explored and newly opened trek in Madhya Pradesh is a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers! The Indian Roller is frequently spotted in this region and Arun has captured it in its full glory.

Camera Setting: Shutter 1/320, Aperture F 7.1, ISO 125, Focal Length 500mm.
(Captured in Camera - Telephoto Lens)

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10. Pin Bhaba Pass - Saket Gaurav

Here’s a photo that captures the stark and deserted mountains of Spiti. The vast landscapes of this range consist of rocky terrains and earthy-tone mountains.

“Spiti, where every step echoes the silence of rugged wilderness” is how Saket describes this photo. Complimenting the majestic mountains, the clouds add the right amount of drama to this photo. The view is a treat to the eyes, indeed!

Camera Setting: Shutter 1/1600, Aperture F 1.8, ISO 100, Focal Length 10mm.
(Captured in Mobile)

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We loved going through all the photos that you shared with us. It was like a virtual trek we went on through these beautifully captured shots. Not just one, but many of them! Your narratives captured everything that brings out our love for nature and passion for photography. 

We have picked the top 12 entries and now it’s your turn to show love to your favourite entry out of these. 

We will announce the winners on September 30, 2024. Stay tuned!
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Jothiranjan B

Head Photographer

About the author

Jothiranjan is a National Award Winning wildlife and landscape photographer with over 8 years of experience. He has spent several years documenting animal and bird life in the remotest forest reserves of India. He joined Indiahikes with a keen interest to document the trekking world like nobody has before. He has been successfully pursuing his thirst for adventure and trek photography since 2021, gaining the priceless skill of adventure photography as he grows.

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